Which action related to sleep apnea should be delegated to a nursing assistant?

The action that should be delegated to a nursing assistant is to remind the patient to sleep on their side. This is an appropriate delegation because it involves a basic and straightforward task that falls within the skill set of a nursing assistant. Reminders to follow specific positions during sleep are important for managing sleep apnea, as sleeping on the side can help alleviate airway obstruction and improve breathing.

Delegation of this task is suitable because it does not require advanced clinical judgment or nursing intervention, making it safe for a nursing assistant to perform. Nursing assistants are trained to communicate basic health management practices like this, which can have a positive impact on the patient's condition.

In contrast, teaching weight-loss strategies, discussing the functionality of a BiPAP machine, or administering medications are more complex tasks that involve either clinical expertise or a level of decision-making that is not appropriate for a nursing assistant to handle. These actions require professional nursing judgment, assessment skills, and an understanding of the patient’s overall health management plan.